Game Localization
Translating for the global digital entertainment industry
| Dublin City University
| Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Video games are part of the growing digital entertainment industry for which game localization has become pivotal in serving international markets. As well as addressing the practical needs of the industry to facilitate translator and localizer training, this book seeks to conceptualize game localization in an attempt to locate it in Translation Studies in the context of the technologization of contemporary translation practices. Designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the topic of game localization the book draws on the literature in Game Studies as well as Translation Studies. The book’s readership is intended to be translation scholars, game localization practitioners and those in Game Studies developing research interest in the international dimensions of the digital entertainment industry. The book aims to provide a road map for the dynamic professional practices of game localization and to help readers visualize the expanding role of translation in one of the 21st century's key global industries.
[Benjamins Translation Library, 106] 2013. xii, 374 pp.
Publishing status: Available
© John Benjamins
Table of Contents
|
Figures and tables
|
ix–x
|
|
Acknowledgements
|
xi–xii
|
|
About this book
|
1–4
|
|
Glossary
|
5–11
|
|
Prologue
|
13–18
|
|
Introduction
|
19–44
|
|
1. The video game and translation
|
45–86
|
|
2. The localization paradigm: Localization versus translation
|
87–110
|
|
3. Game localization: A practical dimension
|
111–147
|
|
4. Translating video games: New vistas for transcreation
|
149–200
|
|
5
Cultural contexts of game production: Patronage and rewriting in the digital age
|
201–241
|
|
6. Pedagogical issues in training game localizers
|
243–275
|
|
7. Game localization research in Translation Studies
|
277–324
|
|
Conclusion
|
325–333
|
|
References
|
335–361
|
|
Gameography
|
363–368
|
|
Appendix. Postgraduate courses in game localization in Spain
|
369–370
|
|
Index
|
371–374
|
“This book is unique since it discusses localization from the translator's perspective and I'm recommending this book to anyone interested in this topic. The authors have left no stone unturned when it comes to the subject and include excellent references and case studies about game localization and its importance in the game industry.”
Heather Maxwell Chandler, author of The Game Localization Handbook
“This volume is the authoritative source on game localization. Drawing together years of professional and academic experience, O'Hagan & Mangiron have written an essential guide to understanding how game localization has developed over the years, how it has become an essential part of the global video game industry, and how best to teach students this art and craft. The authors explore this fascinating field using dozens of examples from their own work and other well known localization efforts to give readers the best possible understanding of game localization theory and techniques. Highly recommended.”
Mia Consalvo, Concordia University
“The text is a worthwhile and extremely well structured read that will hopefully become the standard text for all who wish to find out more about the subject, be it out of academic interest or intention to embark on a career in the booming video game localization industry.”
Michał Nowakowski, in ITIA Bulletin, December 2013, pag. 7-9
“
Game Localization: Translating for the global digital entertainment industry is a useful and significant book, both for academic scholars who might not be familiar with the gaming industry and for localization practitioners who now can perceive their field within a larger theoretical context. Numerous charts, diagrams and full-color illustrations enhance the presentation of the argument.”
Frank Dietz, in MultiLingual, March 2014
“It is currently the most complete monograph on the subject. It shows possible ways of developing research on localization within translation studies. It even includes a chapter devoted to professional training in the field of localization. Thus, it is easy to recommend Game Localization to anyone interested in the subject, both in its theoretical and practical aspects.”
Paweł Schreiber, in Translation Ireland, Vol.19:2 (2014)
“This book is sorely needed and a great example of a theoretical framework being successfully adapted and applied to a field of real-world phenomena and is a great contribution to the enlargement and enrichment of the field of translation studies.”
Jan Pedersen, Stockholm University, in Perspectives, October 2014
“This book represents a must-read reference to anyone interested in game localisation as it targets not only scholars and professionals belonging to this field, but also those who are interested in emerging issues in Game Studies, audiovisual translation and localisation. Provided with an initial glossary of game-specific terms, Game Localization is designed to serve as an introduction to this dynamic area, keeping a balance between theoretical and practical dimensions.”
Gianna Tarquini and Serenella Massidda, in inTRAlinea, Vol 16, 2014
Cited by
Cited by 67 other publications
No author info given
2017.
In Crowdsourcing and Online Collaborative Translations [Benjamins Translation Library, 131],
Afzali, Katayoon & Mahboobeh Zahiri
2021. A netnographic exploration of Iranian videogame players translation needs: the case of in-game texts.
The Translator ► pp. 1 ff.
Al-Batineh, Mohammed & Razan Alawneh
2021. Current trends in localizing Video games into Arabic: localization levels and gamers’ preferences.
Perspectives ► pp. 1 ff.
Al-Batineh, Mohammed & Razan Alawneh
2021. Translation hacking in Arabic video game localization.
Translation Spaces
Anisimova, A. T.
2018. Phenomenon of computer game in translation discourse.
Scientific bulletin of the Southern Institute of Management :2 ► pp. 82 ff.
Arndt, Tracy, Konstantin Freybe, André Lahmann & Martin Roth
2020. Reference Evil – Bibliografische Herausforderungen bei Videospielen.
Bibliotheksdienst 54:5 ► pp. 345 ff.
Bendi, Merouan
2021.
In When Translation Goes Digital,
► pp. 201 ff.
Bernal-Merino, Miguel A.
2020.
In The Palgrave Handbook of Audiovisual Translation and Media Accessibility,
► pp. 297 ff.
Bernal-Merino, Miguel Á.
2018. Creativity and playability in the localisation of video games.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 5:1 ► pp. 74 ff.
Bianchi, Diana & Federico Zanettin
2018. ‘Under surveillance’. An introduction to popular fiction in translation.
Perspectives 26:6 ► pp. 793 ff.
Cardona-Rivera, Rogelio E., José P. Zagal & Michael S. Debus
2020.
In Interactive Storytelling [Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 12497],
► pp. 133 ff.
Chesterman, Andrew
2019. Cross-disciplinary Notes for a Study of Rhythm.
Adaptation 12:3 ► pp. 271 ff.
Costal, Tomás
2018. Why is that creature grunting?.
Translation and Translanguaging in Multilingual Contexts 4:1 ► pp. 151 ff.
Costal, Tomás
2020.
In Audiovisual Translation in Applied Linguistics [Benjamins Current Topics, 111],
► pp. 154 ff.
Crawford, Rebecca & Yuanyuan Chen
2017.
In 2017 23rd International Conference on Virtual System & Multimedia (VSMM),
► pp. 1 ff.
Cronin, Michael
2018.
In A History of Modern Translation Knowledge [Benjamins Translation Library, 142],
► pp. 175 ff.
Davies, Hugh & Zhuying Li
2020. Travel Frog: Traversing cultural borders with mobile games.
Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies 26:5-6 ► pp. 1194 ff.
del Mar Sánchez Ramos, María
2019. Mapping new translation practices into translation training.
Babel. Revue internationale de la traduction / International Journal of Translation 65:5 ► pp. 615 ff.
del Rey, Jesús Torres & Silvia Rodríguez Vázquez
2016.
In Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality,
► pp. 971 ff.
Desjardins, Renée
2017.
In Translation and Social Media,
► pp. 13 ff.
Díaz-Millón, Mar
2021.
In Innovative Perspectives on Corporate Communication in the Global World [Advances in Linguistics and Communication Studies, ],
► pp. 159 ff.
Ellefsen, Ugo & Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino
2018. Harnessing the roar of the crowd.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 5:1 ► pp. 21 ff.
Fernández-Costales, Alberto
2017. On the sociolinguistics of video games localisation.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2 ► pp. 120 ff.
Fernández-Costales, Alberto
2018.
In Reception Studies and Audiovisual Translation [Benjamins Translation Library, 141],
► pp. 297 ff.
Ferreira, Aline, John W. Schwieter & Daniel Gile
2015.
In Psycholinguistic and Cognitive Inquiries into Translation and Interpreting [Benjamins Translation Library, 115],
► pp. 3 ff.
Folaron, Debbie
2019. Digital World Communication аnd Translation.
Slovo.ru: Baltic accent 10:3 ► pp. 9 ff.
Gambier, Yves & Ramunė Kasperẹ
2021. Changing translation practices and moving boundaries in translation studies.
Babel. Revue internationale de la traduction / International Journal of Translation 67:1 ► pp. 36 ff.
Gmeinbauer, Christina
2018. Close Encounter of the 3D Kind: Examining Constructions of the Foreign ‘Other’ in Japanese Videogames.
Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies 9:1 ► pp. 1 ff.
Hsu, Hao
2020. Localization and culturalization for a history-based game.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 7:1-2 ► pp. 28 ff.
Jiménez-Crespo, Miguel A.
2016. What is (not) web localization in translation studies.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 3:1 ► pp. 38 ff.
Jiménez-Crespo, Miguel A. & Nitish Singh
2016.
In Border Crossings [Benjamins Translation Library, 126],
► pp. 245 ff.
KARADUMAN, Murad & Elif Pınar ACİYAN
2020. BAUDRİLLARD’IN SİMÜLASYON KURAMI BAĞLAMINDA DİJİTAL OYUNLAR VE BAĞIMLILIK ÜZERİNE BİR DEĞERLENDİRME.
Trakya Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi ► pp. 453 ff.
Kassawat, Madiha
2020. Decoding transcreation in corporate website localization into Arabic.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 7:1-2 ► pp. 69 ff.
Khoshsaligheh, Masood & Saeed Ameri
2020. Video game localisation in Iran: a survey of users’ profile, gaming habits and preferences.
The Translator 26:2 ► pp. 190 ff.
Liubinienė, Vilmantė & Ana Jorge
2019.
In The Internet of Toys,
► pp. 327 ff.
Mahasneh, Anjad A. & Maysa’ Taher Abu Kishek
2018. Arabic Localization of Video Games “Tomb Raider™ (2013)”: A Start or A Failure
.
Lebende Sprachen 63:1 ► pp. 47 ff.
Mandiberg, Stephen
2017. Fallacies of game localization.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2 ► pp. 162 ff.
Mangiron, Carme
2017. Research in game localisation.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2 ► pp. 74 ff.
Mangiron, Carme
2018.
In Reception Studies and Audiovisual Translation [Benjamins Translation Library, 141],
► pp. 277 ff.
Mangiron, Carme
2021. Training game localisers online: teaching methods, translation competence and curricular design.
The Interpreter and Translator Trainer 15:1 ► pp. 34 ff.
Mangiron, Carme & Xiaochun Zhang
2016.
In Researching Audio Description,
► pp. 75 ff.
O'Hagan, Minako & Heather Chandler
2016.
In Border Crossings [Benjamins Translation Library, 126],
► pp. 309 ff.
Odacıoğlu, Mehmet Cem, Chek Kim Loi, Şaban Köktürk & Nazan Müge Uysal
2016. The Position of Game Localization Training within Academic Translation Teaching.
Journal of Language Teaching and Research 7:4 ► pp. 675 ff.
O’Hagan, Minako
2015. Game localisation as software-mediated cultural experience: Shedding light on the changing role of translation in intercultural communication in the digital age.
Multilingua 34:6
O’Hagan, Minako
2017. Seeking delocalization.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2 ► pp. 183 ff.
O’Hagan, Minako, Julie McDonough Dolmaya & Hendrik J. Kockaert
2019. Pandemic, localization and change of guard.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 6:2 ► pp. 69 ff.
Peng, Wenqing
2021. Video game localization as homecoming in Total War: Three Kingdoms.
The Translator ► pp. 1 ff.
Pettini, Silvia
2015. Auteurism and game localization — revisiting translational approaches.
Translation Spaces 4:2 ► pp. 268 ff.
Pettini, Silvia
2017. Translating literature into playability.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2 ► pp. 100 ff.
Pulos, Alexis & S. Austin Lee Lee
2016.
In Transnational Contexts of Culture, Gender, Class, and Colonialism in Play,
► pp. 1 ff.
Pyae, Aung
2018. Understanding the role of culture and cultural attributes in digital game localization.
Entertainment Computing 26 ► pp. 105 ff.
Pyae, Aung & Leigh Ellen Potter
2017.
In Proceedings of the 29th Australian Conference on Computer-Human Interaction,
► pp. 607 ff.
Ramos, Maria del Mar Sanchez
2019.
In Crowdsourcing,
► pp. 1637 ff.
Ramos, Maria del Mar Sanchez
2019.
In Social Entrepreneurship,
► pp. 1742 ff.
Ranford, Aiden
2017. Targeted translation.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 4:2 ► pp. 141 ff.
Ranzato, Irene & Serenella Zanotti
2019.
In Reassessing Dubbing [Benjamins Translation Library, 148],
► pp. 2 ff.
Roturier, Johann
2015. Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino: Translation and localisation in video games: making entertainment software global.
Machine Translation 29:3-4 ► pp. 301 ff.
Song, Hua
2018. Translation and Localisation in Video Games: Making Entertainment Software Global.
Australian Journal of Linguistics 38:1 ► pp. 127 ff.
Toftedahl, Marcus & Cristian A. Rusu
2021. Localization Tools in General Purpose Game Engines: A Systematic Mapping Study.
International Journal of Computer Games Technology 2021 ► pp. 1 ff.
Torres del Rey, Jesús
2019.
In The Evolving Curriculum in Interpreter and Translator Education [American Translators Association Scholarly Monograph Series, XIX],
► pp. 229 ff.
Valdeón, Roberto A.
2018.
In Reception Studies and Audiovisual Translation [Benjamins Translation Library, 141],
► pp. 111 ff.
Wang, Dingkun, Xiaochun Zhang & Arista Szu-Yu Kuo
2020. Researching inter-Asian audiovisual translation.
Perspectives 28:4 ► pp. 473 ff.
Wu, Zhiwei & Zhuojia Chen
2020. Localizing Chinese games for Southeast Asian markets.
The Journal of Internationalization and Localization 7:1-2 ► pp. 49 ff.
Ząbecki, Krzysztof
2019.
In Handbook of the Changing World Language Map,
► pp. 1 ff.
Ząbecki, Krzysztof
2020.
In Handbook of the Changing World Language Map,
► pp. 1785 ff.
ÖNCÜ YILMAZ, Tutku & Emre CANBAZ
2019. Hikâye Odaklı Video Oyunlarda Çevirinin Rolü: The Last of Us Video Oyunu Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme.
Çeviribilim ve Uygulamaları Dergisi :26 ► pp. 77 ff.
Švelch, Jan
2021. Developer Credit: Para-Industrial Hierarchies of In-Game Credit Attribution in the Video Game Industry.
Games and Culture ► pp. 155541202110344 ff.
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 13 october 2021. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.
Subjects & Metadata
Translation & Interpreting Studies
BIC Subject: CFP – Translation & interpretation
BISAC Subject: LAN023000 – LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Translating & Interpreting